The Republican National Committee and California Republican Party have hired a new state party director to oversee field operations as the GOP seeks to hang on to its congressional seats.

In a joint announcement Wednesday, the groups said Clinton Soffer would help the battered party build a ground operation and capture new voters.

Republicans have fallen below 30 percent of registered voters in California. This spring, delegates elected former state Senator Jim Brulte as state party chairman, hoping he can reverse the GOP's fortunes.

California's newly redrawn districts led to several competitive congressional contests in 2012, and both parties are preparing for close races next year. Republicans hold 15 of the state's 53 congressional seats.

Soffer's hiring comes much earlier than usual in an election cycle, signaling the state's importance.